After the screening of Secret Ingredient on 15 November in Cankarjev dom’s Kosovel Hall, the viewers greeted director and screenwriter Gjorce Stavreski with a warm applause. In a Q&A with Damijan Vinter the director explained that besides a positive PR for marijuana cookies, the story contained criticism of Macedonia’s collapsing system – and that an essential dimension of the plot was a portrayal of the complicated father-and-son relationship.

Stavreski initially thought about making a social family drama with an emphasis on the father-and-son relationship, but his idea went completely unnoticed at a pitching forum. This was one of the reasons why he gradually added humorous touches, which are further accentuated by the elements of the pot and the ‘old guys’. The filmmaker continually worked on the storyline, which sometimes evolved beyond his original expectations: “I am absolutely nihilistic about some things; that is precisely why I think there’s nothing to lose – you just have to keep experimenting.” The filming of the Macedonian-Greek co-production took place over a period of 36 days, and the editing lasted for one year; the total budget was EUR 450,000.

Secret Ingredient is showing again on Saturday, 17 November, at the Kinodvor Cinema, and will feature a Q&A with the director.

Andraž Jež

Photo Iztok Dimc